Colleges: Holy Cross' Malcolm Miller a man of many moves

Tuesday

Feb 11, 2014 at 6:00 AMFeb 12, 2014 at 5:43 AM

Jennifer Toland Colleges

Like he did in spurts his first two seasons at Holy Cross, Malcolm Miller is still electrifying Hart Center fans with his spectacular slam dunks — see Sunday's thunderous throwdown of a long Cullen Hamilton pass against Bucknell — and some equally breathtaking blocks, such as his length-of-court sprint and swat from behind of a Loyola layup attempt.

But HC coach Milan Brown wanted — and knew the Crusaders needed — more than just a flash here and a flash there from the 6-foot-7 junior forward this year.

Miller, as Brown hoped, has become a consistent contributor at both ends of the floor and has played a major role in HC's recent success.

"It's him being confident as a player," Brown said. "He's starting to grow as a player, and we're seeing it."

The Crusaders (14-10, 8-4) have won seven of their last eight games to move into a third-place tie with Army in the Patriot League. The Black Knights visit the Hart Center at 7 tonight.

Miller has scored in double figures in three straight games and in eight of HC's last 10, averaging 13.2 points over that span. On the season, Miller is averaging 10.6 points and 5 rebounds to rank second behind senior Dave Dudzinski in both categories. Miller is shooting 48 percent from the field and has a team-high 42 blocks.

"I talked to the coaches, and they definitely wanted me to start being more aggressive," said Miller, who averaged 5.7 points as a sophomore, "start looking to make more plays for myself along with more plays for my teammates. So I just wanted to stay in that attacking mentality, stay looking toward the basket more and trying to make more plays."

Brown moved Miller from the 3 spot to the 4 after HC's loss to American in early January. He has started there the last 10 games, and the change in position has benefited him greatly.

"It's helped quite a bit," said Miller, who still shifts to the 3 at times. "It gives me different looks in different areas against different opponents. Sometimes I'll be at the 3 playing a smaller guard at which point I'll post up, and sometimes I'll be at the 4 going against a slower big man, so it utilizes my versatility and allows me to make more plays."

Sophomore Eric Green took over at the starting 3 position when Miller moved to the 4, and 6-8 junior forward Taylor Abt, who started the first 14 games, has made some contributions off the bench.

Miller also has shown improvement at the defensive end.

"What he does is, he can erase a mistake for us because of his ability to block shots," Brown said. "He's had some tremendous plays. And because of his length, he can guard multiple guys. He can still guard 3s or 2s, but he can also guard 4s, so he makes us versatile in how we defend because he can cover so many different positions."

Miller blocked six shots in the game against Loyola and had a career-high seven blocks earlier this year at NJIT.

On Sunday, Abt and Green joined Miller for a dunk demonstration against Bucknell.

"It's definitely a huge boost," Miller said. "It's an advantage for us having guys who can make one of those great plays. It can change momentum."

Miller, who averaged 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in last week's wins over Bucknell and Colgate, was named Patriot League Player of the Week for the first time.

"He's continued to work," Brown said, "and it's great to continue to see him grow each day."

St. Pierre a Good Works star

Worcester State senior Michel'le St. Pierre was one of 10 female student-athletes from across the country named to the 2014 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team, an off-the-court honor recognizing college basketball players for their community involvement.

St. Pierre was one of two Division 3 student-athletes selected and the only representative from a New England school.

"Shelly is well deserving of this honor," Worcester State coach Karen Tessmer said. "She is always the first one to volunteer for something, and she is always willing to help out. We are really excited for her. She is a great reflection of Worcester State."

St. Pierre's extensive service resume includes initiating the women's basketball team's involvement with TeamIMPACT, cleaning, painting and refurbishing a local elementary school's library, and as an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she has been instrumental in on-campus involvement with Special Olympics.

When a sixth-grader who was a former women's basketball camp attendee lost her leg after being diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer, St. Pierre visited her at the hospital, supported her during chemotherapy treatments, and participated in the family's fundraisers.

St. Pierre serves in the Army National Guard and has been activated for five natural disasters and emergency services, including last year's Boston Marathon bombing.

St. Pierre and the other WBCA Good Works Team honorees will be recognized at this year's NCAA Division 1 Women's Final Four in Nashville, where they will also participate in a local community project.

"Michel'le exemplifies this award with all the 'good works' she does on and off campus by willingly volunteering for any community service project," Tessmer said. "This is a special opportunity for her."

Kentucky senior Kastine Evans, the sister of former Holy Cross guard R.J. Evans, was also selected to the team.

McCarron a semifinalist

Framingham State senior forward Brendan McCarron of Millbury is one of 18 semifinalists for the 14th Joe Concannon Award, presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England at the Division 2 or 3 level.

McCarron, a St. John's High graduate, is the only candidate from the MASCAC.

With 11 goals and eight assists, McCarron ranks among the Rams' leading scorers. He has 12 points in 14 conference games.

This season, McCarron has doubled his career goal total and helped the Rams contend near the top of the MASCAC standings.

Finalists will be announced in March prior to the start of the NCAA Frozen Four, and the award will be presented during the New England Hockey Writers dinner in April.

Gaudreault athlete of week

Springfield College senior Gabriella Gaudreault of Leominster was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association Division 3 Women's Athlete of the Week after her outstanding performance at the Boston University Valentine Invitational.

Gaudreault shattered the previous school record in the 800 meters by more than 3 seconds, and her career-best time of 2:09.57 was the seventh fastest in Division 3 history. Gaudreault finished 10th in a field of 160 runners.

Gaudreault, who also owns the Pride's outdoor record in the 800 (2:09.80, set last spring), has had a dominant indoor season. She is unbeaten in the 400 with four wins in four meets.

She has won the 1,000 twice and has been a member of two victorious 800 relay teams.

Contact Jennifer Toland at jtoland@telegram.com.Follow her on Twitter @JenTandG.